Grant positive on West Ham’s chances

Avram Grant believes his West Ham side is playing so well they deserve to stay in the Premier League.West Ham are three points from safety and bottom of the Premier League table and face Blackburn at Upton Park on Saturday with the chance of moving within three points of their relegation rivals.

“We want to stay in the league, we believe that we can stay in the league, we believe that we deserve to stay in the league. We are playing football that deserves to stay in the league,” Grant said.

The West Ham manager called for focus ahead of Saturday’s game and does not want his players to be distracted by the string of poor results the East London club have endured in their previous six league games – leaving them with one point from 18.

“The most important thing is not what has happened but what will happen, because we are at the end of the season and there is no time to correct anything – we need to do our best,” Grant said.

Grant was unable to confirm whether or not Footballer of the Year Scott Parker (Achilles) will be fit for the game, and will have to wait until the day of the game before he can make a decision whether to select the midfielder.

However, Grant is willing to risk Parker even if he is not fully fit.

“If he (Parker) can play I want him to play,” Grant said. “But you know Scotty; even if there’s a small chance, he will do everything he can to play. And we support that because we are short in midfield.”

Midfielders Mark Noble (groin), and Gary O’Neill (ankle) will miss Saturday’s game. Grant will also have to wait until Saturday to find out whether Matthew Upson will be fit, having been substituted in the opening minutes against Manchester City last Sunday.

West Ham have a potential advantage in being the home side. Grant understands how much of a boost the Upton Park crowd can provide when they get behind their team.

“When we played against Wolves at home it was very important. And against Liverpool, and against Stoke. We played well, and we scored goals,” he said.

“You say that supporters are a 12th player. The supporters are more than a 12th player at Upton Park when they are in good shape.”